A man who jumped off of the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier wearing a backpack full of sand on Sunday is currently on life support after remaining underwater for about ten minutes.
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The Long Beach Public Safety Dive Team responded to a call reporting a suicide attempt at the location around noon Sunday and through a coordinated effort between Long Beach Fire Department and Long Beach Police Department waterborne resources, were able to locate and rescue the victim by 12:12PM.
“The coordinated recovery of a missing swimmer in under 10 minutes is extraordinary in the arena of Public Safety Diving,” said Sgt. David Marander of LBFD. “Were it not for the capabilities of the Public Safety Dive Team, it is likely this man would not have been located as quickly.”
Formed in 2009, the Public Safety Dive Team is a joint effort of LBFD and LBPD. Lifeguards on beach duty as well as LBPD divers training nearby and fire boats in the area for a kayak rescue all contributed to the man’s rescue.
Police have not identified the man at this time and have not confirmed whether or not his jump was a suicide attempt, though witnesses said he hopped the railing and jumped with determination.
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